The New Hampshire Colorectal Cancer Screening Program was established in 2009 by researchers and clinicians at Dartmouth Cancer Center and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
We work with health systems, including clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare organizations, in the State of New Hampshire. We use and strengthen strategies proven to improve the quality and completion rates of colorectal cancer screenings.
We also work to:
- Partner with New Hampshire health systems that serve people aged 45-75
- Improve the use of public health strategies proven to increase colorectal cancer screening
- Monitor the impact of implemented strategies on colorectal cancer screening rates
- Disseminate best practices for colorectal cancer screening
Increasing screening to save lives
Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or the rectum. The colon is the large intestine, and the rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anal canal.
Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. If everyone aged 45 years or older had regular screening tests, many deaths from this cancer might be avoided.
The Gastrointestinal Oncology Program provides patients with information on colorectal cancer screening, other resources and clinical trials.
Information for providers
Increasing the quality and completion of patient colonoscopy screenings
Our patient navigation model has been highly effective in increasing colonoscopy screening completion and quality among underserved groups. Patients in this program were 11 times more likely to complete a colonoscopy than a comparison group.
Given their success, we worked with the CDC to develop a manual to help others replicate the model. Expanded use of our model can help reach our shared goal of 80% colorectal cancer screening in every community.
Download and forward the manual to your colleagues (PDF).
Send comments, questions, and suggestions to us at NHCRCSP@hitchcock.org.
Evidence-based interventions
We use strategies recommended by the Guide to Community Preventive Services to focus on four activities (evidence-based interventions, or EBIs) in partner health systems:
- Patient reminders
- Provider reminders
- Provider assessment and feedback on CRC screening rates
- Reducing structural barriers for patients
Information and materials available through us
Contact us if you need:
- A provider pocket card summarizing current CRC screening and surveillance recommendations, including guidelines for average- and high-risk individuals
- A fact sheet explaining the differences between various types of stool tests
- An easy-to-understand summary of the latest recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer
- Various cards, brochures, booklets, and posters for discussing CRC screening with patients